Inland Empire family guide
Things to Do in Montclair with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Montclair on the map
📍 Where Montclair is
Montclair sits in Inland Empire, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Ontario Intl (~5 mi / 9 km). It's roughly 32 mi (51 km) from Downtown LA and 99 mi (159 km) from San Diego — SoCal traffic can make a drive take far longer than the distance suggests, so plan around it.
Visiting? See SoCal at a glance, getting around and which airport.
Things to do in Montclair
Family attractions near Montclair
The closest kid-friendly attractions in neighboring towns — with driving distance from Montclair.
Cooper Regional History Museum
A small local history museum in Upland's Old Town at 217 E. A St, run by Chaffey Communities Cultural Center, with rotating exhibits — check the current one before you go. A good 45-minute stop combined with lunch downtown.
Pay what you can (donation)
Upland Public Library
The library at 450 N. Euclid Ave has children's and teen programming, including a Camp Book Club for ages 9–12 on the first Friday of each month at 3:30pm. It's air-conditioned and free, a good midday break; call (909) 931-4200 for the current storytime schedule.
FreeOlivedale Park Universally Inclusive Playground
The city describes this as a universally inclusive playground built for children of all abilities, with sensory activities, wheelchair-accessible ramps and an Alta-Glide swing. The park at 526 E. 8th St also has ball fields, picnic shelters, BBQs and restrooms. Shade is limited, so pick morning or late afternoon in summer.
Free
American Museum of Ceramic Art (AMOCA)
A surprisingly hands-on art museum in the downtown Arts Colony — time it to the free Second Saturday ArtWalk outside.
~$14 adult, under 12 free; pay-what-you-can first FridayMemorial Park & Upland Memorial Skate Park
Memorial Park at 1100 E. Foothill Blvd has a playground, ball fields, a basketball court, a rose garden, picnic areas, BBQs and restrooms, with the Upland Memorial Skate Park inside. Bring helmets and pads for scooter and skate kids.
Free
Pomona Public Library
A free, air-conditioned refuge with a solid youth section and toddler story times — a smart weekday stop when the heat is brutal.
FreeFestivals & annual events in Montclair
What Montclair is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Montclair Halloween Spooktacular
Trick-or-treating, kids' crafts, carnival games, an inflatable haunted maze and a haunted train ride at Montclair Place. The costume contest starts at 6:30pm in age groups 0-6 and 7-12, plus a family category. Tip: get there before 6:30pm to sign up for the contest.
Admission not listed (city event)
Holly Jolly Holiday (Montclair)
A sock skating rink, snow sledding, craft vendors and food trucks, with the tree lighting at 6pm. After it come free Santa photos, cocoa and cookies, and letters to Santa (6:30-8:30pm, while supplies last). Tip: snow play needs a waiver signed on the day, and kids should wear socks for the skating. (Coordinates are approximate for Alma Hofman Park and the Youth Center.)
Free
Dashing Through Montclair (Santa's sleigh tour)
Santa and Mrs. Claus tour Montclair's neighborhoods by sleigh, on a route that changes each year. Tip: the route and toy-donation spots go up on the city page by December 1. It is canceled in bad weather. (Coordinates are the city centroid.)
Free (no fee listed)
Local restaurants in Montclair
Cafe Moderno
Family-owned Mediterranean and Greek restaurant at 9197 Central Ave, Suite J serving fire-grilled kebabs, souvlaki, gyros, wraps, pastas, salads and house-made hummus.
Los Portales Mexican Grill & Seafood
Family-run Mexican grill and seafood restaurant at 10244 Central Ave with cooking rooted in Zacatecas, serving breakfast through dinner. Its own site is dated, so confirm hours before going.
Local shops in Montclair
Mooncards Collectibles
Independent trading-card game shop at 4471 Holt Blvd, Montclair, selling Pokemon, One Piece, Riftbound, Magic: The Gathering, Lorcana and other TCG products. It hosts league events and a weekly Commander Night.
Crafts Unlimited Boutique
Artisan gift boutique at 5001 S. Montclair Plaza Lane, Montclair, featuring handcrafted goods from more than 75 Southern California makers, plus baked goods, specialty foods and chocolates. It runs seasonal marketplaces, including a Fall Marketplace on Sept 24-27, 2026.
Seasonal & outdoors near Montclair
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Montclair.
Montclair is part of the Inland Empire family guide — see the region's best things to do, local eats and events.
More Inland Empire family guides
Montclair family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Montclair with kids?
Family favorites in and around Montclair include Alma Hofman Park & Montclair Skate Park. Our guide lists 1 spot, sorted by distance from you with hours, prices and tips.
Are there free things to do in Montclair?
Yes — free family spots near Montclair include Alma Hofman Park & Montclair Skate Park. Use the "free only" filter in the finder above to see them all.
Where can families eat in Montclair?
Local, family-friendly spots in Montclair include Cafe Moderno and Los Portales Mexican Grill & Seafood — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Montclair guide cover?
Our Montclair family guide includes 1 things to do, 2 local eats and 2 local shops — all hand-curated, locally owned, and sorted by distance from you.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Montclair
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Montclair on one map — then book on your favorite site.